Greenbrier, TN to Kingsport, TN is 287.3 miles and takes about 5h 29m via I 40 and I 81, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, moving from the Southeast region toward the same region. It's a predominantly highway route, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. You'll find it a practical option for getting across the state efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
143.7 miles from Greenbrier, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
200.1 mi
3h 38m
I 81
50.5 mi
54m
Old Hickory Boulevard
7.2 mi
11m
Broad Street
6.9 mi
10m
South Wilcox Drive
4.1 mi
6m
Sullivan Gardens Drive
3.1 mi
3m
Myatt Drive
2.4 mi
3m
TN 93
2.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 200.1 mi, about 3h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Greenbrier, TN and Kingsport, TN.
1
Start on East College Street
98 ft·11 sec·East College Street
2
Turn left onto US 41
6.7 mi·10 min·Broad Street
3
Continue on US 41
1.4 mi·2 min·Dickerson Pike
4
Continue on US 31W; US 41
1.7 mi·2 min·North Main Street
5
Turn left onto Rivergate Parkway
1.0 mi·1 min·Rivergate Parkway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto Rivergate Parkway
0.6 mi·1 min·Rivergate Parkway
7
Continue on Myatt Drive
2.4 mi·3 min·Myatt Drive
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn left onto TN 45
0.8 mi·1 min·Burwood Avenue
9
Continue on SR 45
0.5 mi·48 sec·Old Hickory Boulevard
10
Continue on SR 45
1.6 mi·2 min·Robinson Road
11
Continue on SR 45
6.6 mi·10 min·Old Hickory Boulevard
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 40 East: KnoxvilleUse the left lane.
13
Merge onto I 40
163 mi·2 hr 57 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
51 mi·54 min·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: Bristol
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
17
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft·14 sec
Exit 50Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
18
Merge onto SR 93
0.6 mi·38 sec·SR 93
19
Continue on TN 93
2.4 mi·2 min·TN 93
20
Continue on SR 93
3.1 mi·3 min·Sullivan Gardens Drive
21
Continue on SR 93
1.5 mi·1 min·South Wilcox Drive
22
Continue on SR 93
1.4 mi·1 min·Sullivan Gardens Parkway
23
Turn left onto SR 126
2.6 mi·4 min·South Wilcox Drive
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn left onto East Sullivan Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·East Sullivan Street
25
Turn slight left onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
26
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Broad Street
27
Enter roundabout onto Broad Street
46 ft·1 sec·Broad Street
28
Continue on Broad Street
433 ft·19 sec·Broad Street
29
Turn left onto TN 36
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Center Street
30
Arrive at destination
TN 36
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour-plus duration, starting your drive in the morning will give you ample time to reach your destination before dark. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 200.1 miles on I 40, as services can be spaced out on interstates. The estimated fuel cost of $45 should help with your budgeting for this trip.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 143.7 miles from Greenbrier, TN, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 200.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 63 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.7 miles or 2h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kingsport, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Greenbrier, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Greenbrier, TN
This is one driving day of about 287.3 miles and 5h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Greenbrier, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 200.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 23.3 and 274.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
23.3 mi into trip|~37m in
Take the ramp toward I 40 East: Knoxville
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 40 East: Knoxville
6
187 mi into trip|~3h 35m in|I 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
223.8 mi into trip|~4h 16m in|I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 North: Bristol
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 421
Toward I 81 North: Bristol
6
274.3 mi into trip|~5h 10m in
Take the exit toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 50
Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
8
274.5 mi into trip|~5h 10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 50
Toward SR 93: Jonesborough, Fall Branch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.43 one way
$84.86 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$46.84
$93.68
premium
$4.72
$53.34
$106.69
diesel
$4.80
$54.25
$108.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.2
1
$30.17
$13.79
Efficient EV
71.8
0
$25.14
$11.49
EV Truck/SUV
114.9
1
$40.22
$18.39
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 20, 2026
Origin
Greenbrier, TN
Afternoon
in Greenbrier on Monday
Local time
12:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Patchy Fog
0 mph41% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 8:57PM CDT until July 21 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 8:57PM CDT until July 21 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Kingsport, TN
Afternoon
in Kingsport on Monday
Local time
1:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph26% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 8:57PM CDT until July 21 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 8:57PM CDT until July 21 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 29m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Stones River National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it ch...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 29.7
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 208.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 89% of the drive on interstates. You'll cover a longest stretch of 200.1 miles on I 40 before transitioning to other main roads like I 81 and Old Hickory Boulevard. Expect a significant amount of highway cruising with frequent exits and entrances in some sections.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 200.1 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.3 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 287.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 23.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 187 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 223.8 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 29m. Total distance: 287.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 200.1 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Kingsport, TN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 23.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 187 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 223.8 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kingsport, TN before the return drive.
